Breez launches Time2Build to boost Bitcoin Lightning development

Industry initiative Time2Build is paying developers to integrate the Breez Bitcoin Lightning Network software development kit (SDK) into existing open-source projects, aiming to drive lasting adoption rather than short-term experimentation.

According to a Tuesday announcement shared with Cointelegraph, the initiative is not a hackathon or a developer bounty. Instead, it pays developers for contributing to existing open-source projects and adding Bitcoin (BTC) features to them.

Only code accepted by project maintainers is rewarded, ensuring that Lightning Network features actually reach users. A representative told Cointelegraph that “eligible open-source projects must have a FOSS [free and open source license] license, an active community and a real-world user base.”

“Focus is on lasting adoption, not demos or short-lived hacks,” the announcement reads.

Breez partners for Time2Build include Lightning Network company Lightspark, stablecoin behemoth Tether and Bitcoin education company Plan ₿ Network. The prize pool was funded by Breez and its partner companies, with DraperU and PlebLab also offering special residencies as additional prizes.

Related: Lightning Labs CTO downplays node security bug, citing compromised user

An open source Lightning Network SDK

According to the official documentation, Breez API “provides developers with an end-to-end solution for integrating self-custodial Lightning into their apps and services.” In other words, it allows for integrating the Lightning Network with less hassle for the developers without ceding control over assets to a third party.

A Breez representative explained that the SDK is free and open source for any developer to use. It also allows for integration with the third-party Lightning Network service provider Spark, by initiative partner LightSpark.

The Lightning Network is a Bitcoin scalability solution that its proponents have promised will return Bitcoin to its original purpose as a means of payment. It enables instant and nearly free, trustless transactions offchain that can be settled onchain at a later time.

Recent analysis suggests that it is even technically solid enough to allow for Bitcoin to be sent as far as Mars.

According to 1ML data, the Lightning Network is currently comprised of nearly 1,600 nodes (an increase of 1.7% over the last 30 days) and 43,561 payment channels. The network is also capable of processing 3,869 BTC of transactions, equivalent to over $480 million.

Lightning Nodes Channels World Map. Source: Mempool.SpaceRelated: Can you earn passive income running a Lightning node?

Bitcoin Lightning Network gains traction

In recent times, Lightning Network has also shown some momentum in adoption by non-crypto actors. In late August, digital bank SoFi Technologies was reported to be moving to become the first US bank to leverage the Bitcoin network and Universal Money Address, allowing Americans, Mexicans and others to send money through the Lightning Network.

In late April, global grocery giant Spar rolled out Lightning Network Bitcoin payments in a Swiss city. Still, more adoption is likely expected as the Lightning Network’s features expand beyond Bitcoin transactions.

In late January, the world’s top stablecoin issuer, Tether, was reported to be bringing its USDt (USDT) stablecoin to the Lightning Network. In July, Graham Krizek, founder and CEO of Lightning Network payments provider Voltage, told Cointelegraph that increased adoption of the layer-2 network will see it handle 5% of the global stablecoin volume as early as 2028.

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